Would You Buy or Swap Used Makeup Online?

Forums are a great place to expand your cosmetic collection, but you could be swapping unwanted viruses along with your unwanted shades

Would You Swap ... Powdery Products?"I'd swap used powder products if I know who they're coming from, because you can sanitize them. If you had a makeup artist do your makeup, she didn't buy the makeup to use on you only." - Darlene on TotalBeauty.com

Experts say: According to James Hammer, cosmetic chemist and founder of Mix Solutions in Uxbridge, Mass., these users are on the right track: Powder-based products, both loose and pressed -- think blushes, eyeshadows, compacts and finishing powders -- are low risk in the grand scheme of things because they're dry, which makes it hard for bacteria to multiply and spread (FYI, they prefer warm, moist environments). Plus, these products are usually applied to the cheeks and forehead, not infection-prone spots like the eyes and mouth.

But you're not entirely off the hook. Oils (and bacteria!) from your face, or your fellow swapper's face, are easily transferred to powder products, especially if you use one brush for multiple products, or are guilty of double dipping -- and who isn't? (You can't get a complete smoky eye in one swipe, after all.)